{{Short description|Television station in Salt Lake City}} {{good article}} {{Use American English|date=May 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Distinguish|KXTU-LD}} {{For|the university in Russia|Kazan National Research Technical University}} {{Infobox television station | callsign = KSTU | city = | logo = KSTU 2022.svg | logo_size = 220px | logo_alt = In a white box trimmed in blue, the Fox network logo — the uppercase letters FOX in a sans serif — next to a blue box containing the numeral 13 in a serif. Beneath the box are the words Salt Lake City in a sans serif, tracked slightly wide. | branding = Fox 13; ''Fox 13 News'' | digital = 28 (UHF) | virtual = 13 | affiliations = {{ubl|'''13.1:''' Fox|'''13.2:''' Ion Television|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}} | owner = E. W. Scripps Company | licensee = Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC | location = Salt Lake City, Utah | country = United States | airdate = {{Start date|1978|10|24}} (on channel 20){{efn|While the channel 13 license is separate, KSTU moved seamlessly to channel 13 on November 2, 1987. The channel 20 license was later surrendered; a new station, KTMW, began broadcasting a decade later.}} | callsign_meaning = Springfield Television of Utah, original owners | sister_stations = KUPX-TV | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 20 (UHF, 1978–1987), 13 (VHF, 1987–2009)}} | former_affiliations = Independent (1978–1986) | erp = 350 kW | haat = {{convert|1210|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 22215 | coordinates = {{Coord|40|39|32.8|N|112|12|10.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{URL|https://fox13now.com/}} }}
'''KSTU''' (channel 13) is a television station in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by the E.{{nbsp}}W. Scripps Company alongside KUPX-TV (channel 16), an independent station. The two stations share studios on West Amelia Earhart Drive in the northwestern section of Salt Lake City; KSTU's transmitter is located on Farnsworth Peak in the Oquirrh Mountains, southwest of Salt Lake City. More than 80 dependent translators carry its signal throughout Utah and portions of neighboring states.
KSTU went on the air in 1978 as the third attempt at an independent station in the Salt Lake City market. It was by far the most successful to date; it was the first independent in the market to last longer than two years. Broadcasting on channel 20, it was also the first commercial UHF outlet in the state. It was built by and named for its Massachusetts-based founding owner, Springfield Television. Adams Communications acquired KSTU in 1984 when it merged with Springfield Television. Channel 20 affiliated with Fox at its launch in 1986.
While KSTU was starting on channel 20, a decade-long proceeding began to assign VHF channel 13, which had been made available in Salt Lake City in 1980. Eight applicants submitted bids; Mountain West Television, a consortium of mostly local partners, emerged with the construction permit after buying out its competitors' interests. In what the partners later described as coerced action coordinated by their legal counsel and financial backers, the company bought KSTU's intellectual property and moved it to channel 13 in November 1987 instead of building and staffing its own station.
Between 1989 and 2007, KSTU was a Fox owned-and-operated station. In 1991, the station began producing local newscasts, which Fox and subsequent owners would use as the foundation for an emphasis on news. After Fox spun off its smaller owned-and-operated stations in 2007, KSTU has been owned in succession by Local TV LLC, Tribune Media, and Scripps. KSTU broadcasts the Scripps-owned Ion Television as a subchannel.
==History== What would become the Salt Lake City market had an ignominious history with independent television before KSTU. Two attempts to operate independent stations on the VHF band in the late 1950s and early 1960s both fell through. KLOR-TV signed on in 1958 from Provo. However, poor transmitter site selection hindered reception for many viewers in the Wasatch Front whose antennas were aimed at the Oquirrh Mountains. It signed off in 1960, having been placed in bankruptcy,<ref name="Salt600316">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29967907/repairs-to-delay-return-of-channel-11/|date=March 16, 1960|page=22|title=Repairs to Delay 'Return' of Channel 11|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184855/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29967907/repairs-to-delay-return-of-channel-11/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Dail630709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29968454/businessmen-buy-vacant-klor-building/|date=July 9, 1963|page=3|title=Businessmen Buy Vacant KLOR Building|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184855/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29968454/businessmen-buy-vacant-klor-building/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and the license was sold to Brigham Young University for reactivation as KBYU-TV.<ref name="Dail640305">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111855809/byu-seeks-transmitter-site-for-new-tv/|date=March 5, 1964|page=3A|title=BYU Seeks Transmitter Site For New TV Channel As Educational Station|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111855809/byu-seeks-transmitter-site-for-new-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> At the other end of the Wasatch Front, in Ogden, KVOG-TV began on channel 9 in 1960 but was sold to the Ogden city school board in 1962 and converted to educational use as KOET, which ceased broadcasting in 1973.<ref name="Ogde620111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35486104/school-board-oks-deal-to-buy-tv-station/|date=January 11, 1962|page=21|title=School Board OKs Deal to Buy TV Station for Education Use|newspaper=The Ogden Standard-Examiner|location=Ogden, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184858/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35486104/school-board-oks-deal-to-buy-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> During KOET's life, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) blocked an attempt by the school board to sell the station back to a buyer to be reverted to commercial use because of the effects such a reclassification would have on the development of UHF, then an agency priority, and on educational broadcasting in northern Utah.<ref name="Ogde701110">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35486276/city-board-oks-hiring-legal-firm-to/|date=November 10, 1970|page=1B|title=City Board OKs Hiring Legal Firm to Appeal TV Decision|newspaper=The Ogden Standard-Examiner|location=Ogden, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35486276/city-board-oks-hiring-legal-firm-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
===The channel 20 years=== Channel 20 was allocated to Salt Lake City in 1952,<ref name="Salt520113">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815443/microwave-miracle-it-brings-television/|date=January 13, 1952|page=30E|title=Microwave Miracle: It Brings Television West|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815443/microwave-miracle-it-brings-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> but there was no interest in the channel until a 1967 application was made by the Great Desert Broadcasting Company, which was never granted.<ref name="Salt670317">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815535/notice/|date=March 17, 1967|page=10B|title=Notice|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184900/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815535/notice/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
In September 1977, Springfield, Massachusetts–based Springfield Television, whose other holdings were NBC-affiliated flagship WWLP in Springfield and ABC affiliate WKEF in Dayton, Ohio, applied to the FCC for channel 20.<ref name="Salt771005">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815703/up-and-down-the-street-s-l-due-5th/|date=October 5, 1977|page=C7|first=Robert H.|last=Woody|title=Up and Down the Street: S. L. Due 5th TV Station|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184858/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815703/up-and-down-the-street-s-l-due-5th/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> There had been a previous full-service UHF educational station in the state: KWCS-TV (channel 18) in Ogden, owned by the Weber County school system.<ref name="Ogde601011">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35350525/channel-18-goes-live-for-4800-school/|date=October 11, 1960|page=1B|title=Channel 18 Goes 'Live' for 4,800 School Kids|newspaper=The Ogden Standard-Examiner|location=Ogden, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35350525/channel-18-goes-live-for-4800-school/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The Springfield Television application came at a time when the Salt Lake market appeared "ripe" for a fourth station. By this time, two other events were occurring: another attempt was being made to restore channel 9 at Ogden to commercial status, and the FCC was also considering adding channel 13 to Salt Lake City.<ref name="Salt771007">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815754/pleas-pending-before-fcc-indicate-sl/|date=October 7, 1977|page=B7|first=Brian|last=Nutting|title=Pleas Pending Before FCC Indicate S.L. Market 'Ripe' for Fourth TV Station|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815754/pleas-pending-before-fcc-indicate-sl/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
In March 1978, the FCC granted a construction permit to Springfield Television, which had previously announced that channel 20 would be Utah's only independent station and only commercial UHF outlet.<ref name="Salt780317">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815781/to-salt-lake-city-new-tv-station-coming/|date=March 17, 1978|page=B6|title=To Salt Lake City: New TV Station Coming|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184901/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815781/to-salt-lake-city-new-tv-station-coming/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->{{r|Salt771005}} Office space in the Salt Lake International Center, west of the airport, was constructed,<ref name="Salt780412">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815900/today-in-business-new-tv-station-picks/|date=April 12, 1978|page=B4|title=Today in Business: New TV Station Picks Location|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111815900/today-in-business-new-tv-station-picks/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> KSTU began broadcasting on October 24, 1978,<ref name="Dail781025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816350/channel-20-tv-begins-operations/|date=October 25, 1978|page=4|title=Channel 20 TV Begins Operations|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184855/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816350/channel-20-tv-begins-operations/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> with a programming lineup typical of independent stations<ref name="Dail780904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816080/wasatch-front-will-get-independent-uhf/|date=September 4, 1978|page=TV13|title=Wasatch Front Will Get Independent UHF Station|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816080/wasatch-front-will-get-independent-uhf/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and broadcasting from a transmitter site leased from KSL-TV in the Oquirrh Mountains.<ref name="Dail781120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724000/kstuchannel-20-holds-station-grand/|date=November 20, 1978|page=TV10, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724006/kstu-tv-20-officially-opens/ TV12]|title=KSTU—Channel 20 Holds Station Grand Opening|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724000/kstuchannel-20-holds-station-grand/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> As the first UHF station in Utah in five years and the first-ever UHF outlet serving the full Salt Lake market, station promotions prior to the launch explained to viewers how to tune in: "Ever wonder what that other dial is for? It's for 'U'!"<ref name="Dail780918">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816209/ever-wonder-what-that-other-dial-is-for/|date=September 18, 1978|page=16|title=Ever wonder what that other dial is for?|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816209/ever-wonder-what-that-other-dial-is-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Almost immediately, Springfield Television also began building translators of its own in order to match the total coverage area of the existing local stations.<ref name="Dail781204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111857763/classic-films-will-move-to-20/|date=December 4, 1978|page=TV10|title=Classic Films Will Move to '20'|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184854/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111857763/classic-films-will-move-to-20/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The first KSTU-owned translator, on Levan Peak serving Aurora, went into service in September 1979.<ref name="Salt790902">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858050/coming-home-on-nbc/|date=September 2, 1979|page=T-2, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858017/coming-home-on-nbc/ T-6]|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title='Coming Home' on NBC?|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184900/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858050/coming-home-on-nbc/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Even though Washington County rejected KSTU's initial proposal when the station did not offer funding to connect KSTU into the county translator network,<ref name="Dail800812">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858235/commission-rejects-television-proposal/|date=August 12, 1980|page=3|title=Commission rejects television proposal|newspaper=The Daily Spectrum|location=Saint George, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858235/commission-rejects-television-proposal/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> new translators continued to come into service for several years in areas such as Orangeville,<ref name="Emer801217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858430/channel-20-reception-via-a-new/|date=December 17, 1980|page=3A|title=Channel 20 reception via a new translator west of Orangeville|newspaper=Emery County Progress|location=Castle Dale, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184854/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858430/channel-20-reception-via-a-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Cedar City,<ref name="Iron801231">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858490/channel-20-now-available/|date=December 31, 1980|page=B3|title=Channel 20 now available|newspaper=Iron County Record|location=Cedar City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858490/channel-20-now-available/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and Vernal.<ref name="Vern811217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858713/channel-20-translator-equipment/|date=December 17, 1981|page=1|title=Channel 20 translator equipment installed|newspaper=Vernal Express|location=Vernal, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023184853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111858713/channel-20-translator-equipment/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
Springfield Television reached an agreement to sell its entire group to Adams Communications in 1983 for $47.3 million.<ref name="Salt830729">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816855/offer-made-for-kstu/|date=July 29, 1983|page=B4|agency=UPI|title=Offer Made For KSTU|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023191123/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816855/offer-made-for-kstu/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Salt830826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816888/television-today-pryor-arguello-fight/|date=August 26, 1983|page=D8|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=Television Today: Pryor-Arguello Fight Also Important to S.L. Cable Operators|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023191127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816888/television-today-pryor-arguello-fight/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The Adams offer met the conditions for Springfield to sell: the stations were sold together, the current management was retained, and the price was agreeable.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-08-29.pdf|date=August 29, 1983|page=110|id={{ProQuest|1014708705}}|title=Springfield sells three|work=Broadcasting|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023191118/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-08-29.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal was closed in 1984.<ref name="Salt840308">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111860170/tv-today-kstu-tv20-to-change-ownership/|date=March 8, 1984|page=C11|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=TV Today: KSTU-TV20 to Change Ownership|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023191125/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111860170/tv-today-kstu-tv20-to-change-ownership/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> On October 9, 1986, the station became a charter affiliate of the new Fox network. However, like most early Fox affiliates, the station was still mostly programmed as an independent due to Fox's limited output.<ref name="Salt861217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111860274/television-today-foul-mouthed-rivers/|date=December 17, 1986|page=8G|title=Television Today: Foul-Mouthed Rivers Takes Bad Taste to a New Low on Late Show|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 23, 2022|archive-date=October 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023191116/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111860274/television-today-foul-mouthed-rivers/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
===Channel 13 drops in=== When the FCC allocated television channels, the station spacing guidelines meant that inserting channel 13 in Salt Lake City was not possible. In 1968, the FCC denied a petition by Salt Lake radio station KLUB to add channel 13 to Salt Lake City so it could apply to build a companion TV station, which would have required changes in unused VHF assignments in Richfield, Vernal, and Rock Springs, Wyoming. That petition was opposed by Great Desert, which at the time was seeking channel 20; the Salt Lake VHF stations; and educational television interests in Utah, including KWCS-TV, who were concerned that a commercial station on channel 13 would affect the translators they used to rebroadcast their programming.<ref name="Ogde680307">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35351097/radio-station-request-for-tv-channel/|date=March 7, 1968|page=14A|agency=Associated Press|title=Radio Station Request For TV Channel Denied|newspaper=The Ogden Standard-Examiner|location=Ogden, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024010203/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35351097/radio-station-request-for-tv-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
The concept of VHF drop-ins—changes to station spacing that permitted the insertion of new VHF channel allocations in cities across the United States—continued to be of interest, particularly because, in other cities, there were not enough VHF television stations for all three major networks. In 1977, the FCC initially approved four drop-ins nationwide—including channel 13 for Salt Lake—having whittled down the number of proposed new channels in the preceding years.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014698075}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-03-14.pdf|date=March 14, 1977|pages=32–34|work=Broadcasting|title=FCC whittles drop-ins to four markets, for time being|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206053604/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-03-14.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Its studies found that Salt Lake could support not one but two independent VHF outlets.<ref>{{cite news|pages=66, 68|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-05-09.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1016894811}}|title=What are chances for a drop-in to be a stay-in or a drop-out?|work=Broadcasting|date=May 9, 1977|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206085143/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-05-09.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Springfield Television, then still applying for a permit, asked for a chance to establish itself in the market before a VHF station was dropped in; the group contended that a VHF station would not mean automatic failure for a new UHF.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-11-21.pdf|date=November 21, 1977|page=41|work=Broadcasting|title=UHF applicant asks for crack at Salt Lake before FCC drops in V|id={{ProQuest|1016889501}}|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008020100/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-11-21.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC reaffirmed the decision on a 4–3 vote in 1980.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89244531/|title=New VHF Television Channel OK'd for Knox|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89244678/ A-3]|work=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120194422/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89244531/new-vhf-television-channel-okd-for-knox/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Salt800910">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817073/another-tv-channel-for-sl/|date=September 10, 1980|page=C5|title=Another TV Channel for S.L.|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024010209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817073/another-tv-channel-for-sl/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The approval came even though KSTU and KSL-TV had expressed renewed concern over a high-power channel 13 in Salt Lake City causing problems for the translator system.<ref name="Dail790117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111857938/station-could-interfere-with-translator/|date=January 17, 1979|page=2|agency=UPI|title=Station could interfere with translator|newspaper=The Daily Spectrum|location=Saint George, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024010207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111857938/station-could-interfere-with-translator/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
While KSTU was busy building translators to extend channel 20's reach, interested parties were busy filing applications for channel 13. In December 1980, the first application was received from Utah Television Associates, whose principals included Salt Lake businessman Richard S. McKnight. David and Deanna Williams, owners of a paging service and an AM station in Bountiful, submitted a bid on March 10, 1981, under the name Intermountain Broadcasting. By May, when the commission set a deadline to receive other applications, the field had grown to eight with six further bidders:<ref name="BC810608">{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|962751952}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1981/BC-1981-06-08.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=June 8, 1981|pages=96–97|title=VHF drop-in applications trickle in|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024010209/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1981/BC-1981-06-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* American Television of Utah, a subsidiary of Salt Lake City–based American Stores Company, which had also applied for the unused UHF channel 14; * West Valley City Television Associates Limited Partnership, led by Salt Lake advertising and real estate figures; * Mountain West Television Company, in which the largest shareholders were KCPX radio news director Joseph C. Lee and Salt Lake City land developer Sidney Foulger; * Rocky Mountain Broadcasting, owned by real estate investor John Price; * Salt Lake City Family TV, consisting primarily of Pennsylvania and Tennessee interests; * and Salt Lake City Utah T.V., a company of Malcolm Glazer, who owned network-affiliated stations in three smaller markets.
This made Salt Lake City the first of the four drop-ins to attract more than one application.{{r|BC810608}} By 1984, however, there were multiple applications in all four cities, and Salt Lake was the last of the four to receive a designation for comparative hearing among the applicants, on February 10, 1984.<ref name="West840301">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817221/notice/|date=March 1, 1984|page=9|title=Notice|newspaper=West Valley View: The Green Sheet|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024010211/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817221/notice/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref>{{cite news|title=Where things stand: TV allocations|id={{ProQuest|963252845}}|page=83|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-04-02.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=April 2, 1984|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024010204/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-04-02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> By that time, two of the eight applicants had dropped out. American Television had already won the channel 14 construction permit (which eventually materialized as KXIV in 1989), and Rocky Mountain Broadcasting was no longer in contention by the time the hearing designation order was issued.{{r|West840301}}
FCC administrative law judge Edward Kuhlmann issued an initial decision in May 1985 that looked toward granting Salt Lake City Family TV the permit because of its superior proposal for the integration of ownership and management.<ref>{{cite news|page=76|work=Broadcasting|date=May 27, 1985|title=From the ALJ's: Salt Lake City UHF|id={{ProQuest|963292344}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-05-27.pdf|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024013930/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-05-27.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> With Glazer's application having been abandoned, the four other contestants objected to the commission, whose review board scheduled oral argument in the case.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 23, 1985|page=71|title=In Contest|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-09-23.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014727438}}|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024013929/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-09-23.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Mountain West Television retained the advice of Wiley Rein, a Washington, D.C., law firm.<ref name="Salt981215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111886516/jury-in-lengthy-trial-awards-18/|date=December 15, 1998|page=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111886544/channel-13-jury-makes-award-of-23-mill/ D-4]|first=Ray|last=Rivera|title=Jury in Lengthy Trial Awards $18 Million Over Deals Involving TV Channel 13|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024013937/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111886516/jury-in-lengthy-trial-awards-18/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
===KSTU moves to channel 13; sale to Fox=== Wiley Rein attracted two other clients which had interest in channel 13. One was Northstar Communications, a Washington company financially backed by insurer Allstate. The Mountain West principals, with Northstar, formed MWT Limited Partnership; Northstar insisted that Mountain West buy out the other applicants, leading to it obtaining the channel 13 permit. MWT then signed an agreement to purchase all of KSTU's non-license assets from Adams for $30 million in June 1987.<ref>{{cite news|page=80|title=In Brief|work=Broadcasting|date=June 29, 1987|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-06-29.pdf|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|id={{ProQuest|1016923195}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206090942/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-06-29.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Salt870626">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816943/tv-today-kstu-to-be-sold-and-go-to/|date=June 26, 1987|page=S3|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=TV Today: KSTU to Be Sold and Go to VHF—If FCC Approves|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024034411/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111816943/tv-today-kstu-to-be-sold-and-go-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Under the terms of the deal, MWT would operate channel 20 until the channel 13 facility was ready to be activated, after which it would surrender the channel 20 license.<ref>{{cite news|page=73|title=Give it back|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1014730154}}|date=July 20, 1987|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-20.pdf|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108154443/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-20.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Mountain West partners later said that Northstar had refused to provide the financing to outfit a new station, essentially forcing the company to buy KSTU for relocation. It was later reported that Adams was a client of Wiley Rein.{{r|Salt981215}} To pay for the transaction, Mountain West borrowed $22.5 million; the deal included $10 million in a non-compete agreement with Adams.<ref name="Dese981215">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|work=Deseret News|page=B5|title=TV investors win suit vs. lawyers - They said firm they hired ousted them from deal|date=December 15, 1998}}</ref> On November 2, 1987, with the new transmitter facility complete, KSTU's intellectual property (call letters, Fox affiliation, syndicated programming and staff) moved from channel 20 to channel 13.<ref name="Salt871104">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111891270/television-today-network-ratings-sink/|date=November 4, 1987|page=E7|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=Television Today: Network Ratings Sink as Viewers Vanish to Watch 'Titanic,' 'Houdini'|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024034409/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111891270/television-today-network-ratings-sink/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> It also moved to channel 13 on local cable systems.<ref name="Salt871028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111891717/television-today-13-will-be-kstus/|date=October 28, 1987|page=E7|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=Television Today: 13 Will Be KSTU's Lucky Number on Cable|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024034409/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111891717/television-today-13-will-be-kstus/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Due to the manner in which the changeover was structured legally, the FCC reckons KSTU's current facility on channel 13 as a new license dating from 1987; it was issued a construction permit under the call letters KTMW on July 17 and changed its call letters to KSTU on November 9.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=22215&Callsign=KSTU22215|title=Call sign changes for KSTU|website=Consolidated Database System}}</ref>
The obligations incurred by the Mountain West partners were financially debilitating. In August 1989, Mountain West and Farragut Communications—part of the Northstar group—put KSTU on the market.<ref name="Dese890928">{{cite news|title=Up-for-sale KSTU lures Fox, others|page=C8|first=Joseph|last=Walker|work=Deseret News|date=September 28, 1989}}</ref> While multiple bidders, including Meredith Broadcasting and a group led by then-Fox executive Jamie Kellner,<ref>{{Cite news|page=C6|title=WB chief finally gets a station in Utah|date=July 3, 1998|work=The Deseret News|first=Scott|last=Pierce}}</ref> inspected the station, the Fox network itself purchased KSTU. Fox had just sold WFXT in Boston, meaning it had the ability to buy another station.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014728112}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-10-16.pdf|date=October 16, 1989|page=89|title=In Brief|work=Broadcasting|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205235211/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-10-16.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The $41 million deal<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-11-27.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=November 27, 1989|id={{ProQuest|1014736429}}|page=71|title=Changing Hands|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151255/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-11-27.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> resulted in the first network-owned TV station in Utah.<ref>{{cite news|page=C6|title=Murdoch/Fox buying KSTU, Ch. 13|first=Joseph|last=Walker|work=Deseret News|date=December 1, 1989}}</ref>
The sale's outcome led to long-running litigation. Mountain West's partners said that Northstar capitalized on their weakened position to squeeze them out of profits on the sale to Fox.{{r|Dese981215}} In 1990, they sued Wiley Rein for $20 million, which they calculated as the financial value if Northstar had financed their venture as a competing independent station.{{r|Dese981215}} The case became one of the longest civil trials in Utah history; while a trial court initially dismissed the case, the Utah Court of Appeals ordered a trial be held in 1996. After a three-month trial in which 1,000 exhibits were presented and the case record filled 31 volumes, a jury awarded the partners a net total of $18 million in December 1998,{{r|Salt981215}} but the Utah Supreme Court discarded the monetary award in 2001 and ordered another trial be held, finding that the trial judge had improperly instructed jurors.<ref name="Salt011216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111893566/malpractice-suit-ordered-back-to-trial/|date=December 16, 2001|page=B2|title=Malpractice Suit Ordered Back To Trial Court|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024034411/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111893566/malpractice-suit-ordered-back-to-trial/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
Under MWT, KSTU replaced KSL-TV as the exclusive broadcast television home of Utah Jazz basketball in 1988, having carried some Jazz games over the preceding four seasons.<ref name="Dail880509">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895222/jazz-kstu-sign-tv-pact/|date=May 9, 1988|page=8|agency=UPI|title=Jazz-KSTU sign TV pact|newspaper=The Daily Spectrum|location=Saint George, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024042533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895222/jazz-kstu-sign-tv-pact/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> However, KSTU indicated that it would not renew the deal after 1993, due to Fox initiating programming seven nights a week. This resulted in KXIV being purchased by Jazz owner Larry H. Miller and becoming KJZZ-TV.<ref name="Salt930225">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75321413/baseball-hockey-all-that-jazz-on/|date=February 25, 1993|page=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75321853/baseball-hockey-all-that-jazz-on-mille/ A-2]|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=Baseball, Hockey, All That Jazz on Miller's Station|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=March 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327044644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75321413/baseball-hockey-all-that-jazz-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
Under Fox, KSTU began airing local news programming in December 1991, progressively expanding its offerings through the next 15 years. At one time in the early 1990s, Elisabeth Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch's daughter, served as programming manager.<ref name="extra">{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/executive-something-extra-85434|date=November 21, 2008|first=Paige|last=Albiniak|title=The Executive With Something 'Extra'|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024071456/https://www.nexttv.com/news/executive-something-extra-85434|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2000, when Fox Television Stations acquired the Chris-Craft Industries station group, it traded away ABC affiliate KTVX to keep KSTU.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hofmeister|first=Sallie|title=News Corp. to Buy Chris-Craft Parent for $5.5 Billion, Outbidding Viacom|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-12-fi-3272-story.html|access-date=March 23, 2011|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=August 12, 2000|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232639/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/aug/12/business/fi-3272|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Local TV and Tribune ownership=== On June 13, 2007, Fox announced the sale of KSTU and seven other owned-and-operated stations to Local TV LLC, a subsidiary of Oak Hill Capital Partners. The sale was finalized on July 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/oak-hill-capital-partners-closes-deal-for-eight-news-corp-stations|title=Oak Hill Capital Partners closes deal for eight News Corp. stations|work=TVTechnology|date=July 18, 2008|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024052708/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/oak-hill-capital-partners-closes-deal-for-eight-news-corp-stations|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Local TV LLC, KSTU bought the adjacent building to double its studio footprint to {{convert|26000|ft2|m2}}, part of a construction project that also outfitted the station for high-definition news production.<ref name="Salt120423">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/53955739-80/news-fox-station-studio.html.csp|title=Pierce: New Fox 13 studio is sleek, and news will be in HD|work=Salt Lake Tribune|first=Scott D.|last=Pierce|date=April 23, 2012|access-date=April 26, 2012|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426011218/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/53955739-80/news-fox-station-studio.html.csp|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 1, 2013, the Tribune Company acquired Local TV for $2.75 billion;<ref name="ct-saletotribune">{{cite news|last=Channick|first=Robert|title=Acquisition to make Tribune Co. largest U.S. TV station operator|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-tribune-buying-local-tv-20130701,0,3402241.story|access-date=July 1, 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 1, 2013|archive-date=July 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704152051/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-tribune-buying-local-tv-20130701,0,3402241.story|url-status=live}}</ref> the sale was completed on December 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=6470|title=Company Completes Final Steps of Transaction Announced in July|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228101139/http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=6470 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |website=Tribune Company|date=December 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/72966/tribune-closes-local-tv-holdings-purchase|title=Tribune Closes Local TV Holdings Purchase|work=TVNewsCheck|date=December 27, 2013|access-date=January 18, 2014|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529033818/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/72966/tribune-closes-local-tv-holdings-purchase|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, KSTU ranked third in revenue among the four major Salt Lake TV stations, far behind KSL and KUTV but well ahead of KTVX.{{r|BC150202}}
===Sinclair and Fox purchase attempt; sale to Scripps=== {{Further|Attempted acquisition of Tribune Media by Sinclair Broadcast Group}} Sinclair Broadcast Group entered into an agreement to acquire Tribune Media on May 8, 2017, for $3.9 billion plus the assumption of $2.7 billion in Tribune-held debt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html|first=Stephen|last=Battaglio|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2017|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606151425/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sinclair Broadcast nears deal for Tribune Media|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tribune-media-m-a-sinclair-exclusive-idUSKBN1830QH|first1=Liana|last1=Baker|first2=Jessica|last2=Toonkel|work=Reuters|date=May 7, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2017|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606174927/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tribune-media-m-a-sinclair-exclusive-idUSKBN1830QH|url-status=live}}</ref> As Sinclair already owned KUTV, KJZZ-TV, and KMYU in the market, the company offered to sell KSTU back to Fox Television Stations as part of a $910 million deal;<ref name="foxsinclairdeal2">{{cite web|title=21st Century Fox Buys Seven Local TV Stations From Sinclair For $910 Million|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/21st-century-fox-buys-seven-local-tv-stations-from-sinclair-for-910-million-1202386066/|last=Hayes|first=Dade|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-date=May 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514012204/http://deadline.com/2018/05/21st-century-fox-buys-seven-local-tv-stations-from-sinclair-for-910-million-1202386066/|url-status=live}}</ref> Howard Stirk Holdings concurrently agreed to purchase KMYU.<ref name="tvnc-kcpqsale">{{cite news|last1=Jessell|first1=Harry A.|title=Sinclair Spins Off 23 TVs To Grease Trib Deal|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/113054/sinclair-spins-off-23-tvs-to-grease-trib-deal|access-date=April 24, 2018|work=TVNewsCheck|date=April 24, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425121326/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/113054/sinclair-spins-off-23-tvs-to-grease-trib-deal|url-status=live}}</ref> The merger was terminated on August 9, 2018, by Tribune Media, nullifying both transactions;<ref>{{cite web|title=Tribune Kills Sinclair Merger, Files Suit|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/220320/tribune-kills-sinclair-merger/|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329181121/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/tribune-kills-sinclair-merger/|url-status=live}}</ref> this followed a public rejection of the deal by FCC chairman Ajit Pai and vote by the commission to designate it for hearing by an administrative law judge, which was seen as a death knell for the proposed transaction.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCC Throws Wrench Into Sinclair Media Megadeal|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/07/fcc-throws-wrench-into-sinclair-tribune-deal.html|first=Benjamin|last=Hart|periodical=New York|publisher=New York Media, LLC|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717002815/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/07/fcc-throws-wrench-into-sinclair-tribune-deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=FCC chair rejects Sinclair-Tribune merger|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/397194-fcc-chairman-rejects-sinclair-tribune-merger/|first=Harper|last=Neidig|newspaper=The Hill|publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp.|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716163305/http://thehill.com/policy/technology/397194-fcc-chairman-rejects-sinclair-tribune-merger|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following the collapse of the Sinclair merger, Nexstar Media Group announced its intention to purchase Tribune Media on December 3, 2018, for $6.4 billion in cash and debt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b|first=Jon|last=Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405084338/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to Nexstar owning KTVX and KUCW,<ref>{{cite news|title=Scott D. Pierce: KTVX's owner is buying FOX 13's owner — but one of those stations will have to be resold|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/12/03/scott-d-pierce-ktvxs/|first=Scott D.|last=Pierce|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|publisher=Huntsman Family Investments, LLC|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204120742/https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/12/03/scott-d-pierce-ktvxs/|url-status=live}}</ref> the E. W. Scripps Company agreed to purchase KSTU as part of $1.32 billion in overall divestments by Nexstar in order to meet regulatory approval.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|first1=Nabila|last1=Ahmed|first2=Anousha|last2=Sakoui|website=Bloomberg News|publisher=Bloomberg, L.P.|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200225/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was completed on September 19, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2019/9/19/nexstar-takes-control-of-tribune|title=TODAY.... Nexstar Takes Control of Tribune|work=FTVLive|date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019|archive-date=September 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920215436/https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2019/9/19/nexstar-takes-control-of-tribune|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the 2023–24 NHL season, during Vegas Golden Knights conflicts on KUPX-TV, select Arizona Coyotes hockey games aired on KSTU's second digital subchannel, which usually carries Antenna TV.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=McCarter|first=Rebecca|date=October 5, 2023 |title=ARIZONA COYOTES, SCRIPPS SPORTS FORM MULTI-YEAR BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP |language=en |work=Scripps.com|url=https://scripps.com/press-releases/arizona-coyotes-scripps-sports-form-multi-year-broadcast-partnership/ |access-date=October 5, 2023}}</ref>
==News operation== thumb|A KSTU news van in 2018|alt=A KSTU news van, with Fox 13 logo and fox13now.com URL emblazoned on it, parked outside a building In 1984, when the station was an independent owned by Adams, KSTU general manager Vickie Street told ''Electronic Media'' that the station could not hope to compete with the well-established VHF stations in news, commenting, "We have two giants here. Their news budget is bigger than my entire operations budget. It would be David versus Goliath."<ref>{{cite news|pages=1, 39|first=Allison|last=Reilly|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1984-09-27_3_39_0/page/n19/mode/2up?q=KSTU|work=Electronic Media|date=September 27, 1984|title=Programers reveal syndication desires}}</ref> However, the acquisition by Fox made KSTU one of just two stations owned by the company not to produce local news programming (the other was KDAF in Dallas). As part of a corporate push to bring news to the remaining stations,<ref>{{cite news|page=C6|first=Scott D.|last=Pierce|work=Deseret News|title=Fox will jump into news on KSTU|date=July 12, 1990}}</ref> in 1991, KSTU began building out a news department.<ref name="Salt910620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817730/kstu-tv13-to-enter-local-news-race/|date=June 20, 1991|page=C5|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=KSTU-TV13 to Enter Local News Race|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024041209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817730/kstu-tv13-to-enter-local-news-race/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Nick Clooney, a veteran television anchor and the father of actor George Clooney, was the original news anchor.<ref name="Salt910928">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817765/veteran-sl-broadcaster-to-join-kstu/|date=September 28, 1991|page=C9|first=Harold|last=Schindler|title=Veteran S.L. Broadcaster to Join KSTU|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024041210/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111817765/veteran-sl-broadcaster-to-join-kstu/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In addition to serving the Salt Lake market, the KSTU newscast was intended as a prototype for the development of similar newsrooms at mid-market Fox affiliates, and it also functioned as a test bed for Sony and Fox to test a new video camera system based on the Hi8 format.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox News airs 1st broadcast Tuesday at 9|first=Scott D.|last=Pierce|work=Deseret News|date=December 30, 1991|page=B1}}</ref>
The ''Fox News at Nine'' debuted on December 31, 1991.<ref name="Salt911231">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75321015/kstus-local-newscast-debuts-tonight/|date=December 31, 1991|page=31|title=KSTU's Local Newscast Debuts Tonight|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024041209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75321015/kstus-local-newscast-debuts-tonight/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> It was not the first 9 p.m. newscast in modern Utah television, as KXIV briefly aired a KSL-TV-produced newscast between October 1991 and September 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierce |first=Scott |date=August 20, 1992 |title=Eyewitness News at 9 will get deep-6 |work=Deseret News |url=https://www.deseret.com/1992/8/20/19000575/eyewitness-news-at-9-will-get-deep-6 |access-date=September 29, 2023 }}</ref> Clooney was dismissed in 1993 as part of a change in direction for the local newscast.<ref name="Salt930807">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895469/kstu-13-nicks-clooney-at-night-a/|date=August 7, 1993|page=D3|first=Terry|last=Orme|title=KSTU-13 nicks Clooney at night; a change in direction for newscast|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024044053/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895469/kstu-13-nicks-clooney-at-night-a/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> These changes were driven by Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey—later the producer of syndicated newsmagazine ''Extra''—who was placed at KSTU by Murdoch{{r|extra}} and increased the pace of the format.<ref name="Salt931003">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895608/kstu-tv-hopes-news-director-bolsters/|date=October 3, 1993|page=F3|first=Kathryn|last=Smoot Egan|title=KSTU-TV Hopes News Director Bolsters Ratings|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024044053/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895608/kstu-tv-hopes-news-director-bolsters/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Gregorisch-Dempsey then left Salt Lake in 1994 to start a newsroom at KDAF in Dallas, which was eventually scrapped when Fox announced its plans to sell the station and move its affiliation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bark |first=Ed |date=February 1, 1994 |title=Ch. 33 to deliver nightly news – Football spurs Fox affiliate to launch 9 p.m. newscast |page=21A |work=Dallas Morning News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=July 14, 1994|title=Sorry, Channel 30, uh, 33, says mogul - Murdoch chokes up over dumped affiliate|page=33A|first=Ed|last=Bark|quote=The stunning news came on the same day news vans were being delivered to Channel 33 in preparation for the announced August launch of a local prime-time newscast. Never mind.}}</ref><ref name="nyt-kdaf">{{Cite news |last=Cole Smith |first=Steven |date=June 13, 1994 |title=Packing it in at KDAF |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875336/ B3] |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875302/ |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721062956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875302/packing-it-in-at-kdaf/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The half-hour newscast became an hour-long show in 1994.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox's KSTU will expand its newscast to an hour|date=June 9, 1994|page=C7|first=Scott D.|last=Pierce|work=Deseret News}}</ref>
The mid-1990s saw the start of KSTU's expansion beyond prime time news coverage with the addition of noon and morning newscasts in 1996.<ref name="Salt951223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895892/kutv-sees-a-silver-lining-behind/|date=December 23, 1995|page=E7|first=John|last=Youngren|title=KUTV Sees a Silver Lining Behind Ratings Cloud|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024044609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111895892/kutv-sees-a-silver-lining-behind/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Salt960711">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111896086/channel-13-news-adds-to-viewers/|date=July 11, 1996|page=B5|first=John|last=Youngren|title=Channel 13 News Adds to Viewers' Breakfast Menu|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024050201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111896086/channel-13-news-adds-to-viewers/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> While the noon newscast initially rated poorly, the morning news—now known as ''Good Day Utah''—was expanded to a second hour the next year.<ref name="BC150202">{{cite news|title=New station is good news for Utah viewers|date=August 29, 1997|first=Scott D.|last=Pierce|work=Deseret News|page=C8}}</ref> With expansions of newscasts in a variety of time slots,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sltrib.com/slc/ci_12901482 |title=TV: KSTU will add half-hour noon newscast to lineup |work=The Salt Lake Tribune|first=Vince|last=Horiuchi|date=July 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605135020/http://www.sltrib.com/slc/ci_12901482 |archive-date=June 5, 2011}}</ref> KSTU was producing eight hours of news a day by 2012,{{r|Salt120423}} ten hours by 2015,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-jazzing-news-137598|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 2, 2015|title=Market Eye: Jazzing Up the News|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024062138/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-jazzing-news-137598|url-status=live}}</ref> and {{frac|10|1|2}} hours—part of {{frac|62|1|2}} hours of news output a week—in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/kstu-giving-salt-lake-city-another-hour-news-161627|first=Diana|last=Marszalek|title=KSTU Giving Salt Lake City Another Hour of News|date=December 6, 2016|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024064514/https://www.nexttv.com/news/kstu-giving-salt-lake-city-another-hour-news-161627|url-status=live}}</ref>
On September 12, 2025, in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, two men were arrested after an incendiary device planted under a KSTU news vehicle failed to detonate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/2-arrested-incendiary-device-placed-022401131.html|publisher=Yahoo!|title=2 arrested after incendiary device placed under news vehicle in Salt Lake City|date=September 14, 2025|access-date=September 15, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox13now.com/news/crime/fbi-arrests-2-after-incendiary-device-left-under-fox-13-news-vehicle|title=FBI arrests 2 after incendiary device left under FOX 13 News vehicle|publisher=KSTU|date=September 14, 2025|access-date=September 15, 2025}}</ref>
=== Notable former on-air staff === * Brad Giffen – anchor<ref>{{cite news|title=Big hire for new ABC news team|work=New Orleans Times-Picayune|page=D1|first=Mark|last=Lorando|date=January 30, 1996}}</ref>
==Technical information and subchannels== The KSTU transmitter is on Farnsworth Peak.{{r|FCC-LMS-22215}} Its signal is multiplexed: {| class="wikitable" |+Subchannels of KSTU<ref name="rei">{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KSTU#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KSTU|website=RabbitEars|accessdate=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024053646/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KSTU#station|url-status=live}}</ref> ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 13.1 | rowspan=2|720p || KSTU-HD || Fox |- ! scope = "row" | 13.2 | ION || Ion Television |- ! scope = "row" | 13.3 | rowspan=5|480i || COURTTV || Court TV |- ! scope = "row" | 13.4 | BOUNCE || Bounce TV |- ! scope = "row" | 13.5 | QVC || QVC |- ! scope = "row" | 13.6 | QVC2 || QVC2 |- ! scope = "row" | 13.7 | HSN || HSN |}
===Analog-to-digital conversion=== KSTU shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 13, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref><ref name="Dail090208">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111896989/utah-stations-to-delay-digital-signal/|date=February 8, 2009|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Utah stations to delay digital signal after all|newspaper=The Daily Herald|location=Provo, Utah|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024052142/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111896989/utah-stations-to-delay-digital-signal/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 28, using virtual channel 13.{{r|rei}}
===Translators=== More than 80 retransmitters broadcast KSTU's signal throughout Utah and into portions of neighboring states.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Antimony: K30OS-D * Beaver, Utah: K13AAL-D * Beryl, Modena, Newcastle: K25GY-D * Bicknell, etc.: K20MO-D * Blanding, Monticello: K36AK-D * Bluff & Area: K15HN-D * Boulder: K30OV-D * Caineville: K31KN-D * Cedar Canyon: K04RW-D * Cedar City: K10PN-D * Circleville, etc.: K18MI-D * Clear Creek: K28KP-D * Coalville, etc.: K30KG-D * Delta, Oak City: K30PG-D * Duchesne, etc.: K36IM-D * East Carbon County: K18MY-D * East Price: K13AAP-D * Emery: K28PI-D * Escalante: K29HN-D * Ferron: K30PP-D * Fillmore, etc.: K29MN-D * Fishlake Resort: K29JQ-D * Fountain Green: K29LZ-D * Fremont: K35NE-D * Fruitland: K19MH-D * Garfield, etc.: K21MX-D * Garrison, etc.: K34PA-D * Green River: K21JV-D, K30PN-D (Cedar Mountain) * Hanksville: K34NT-D * Hatch: K14QX-D * Heber City: K29MC-D * Helper: K12XI-D * Henefer, etc.: K33LV-D * Henriville: K20MY-D * Huntington: K30PS-D * Huntsville, Liberty: K28JK-D * Kanab: K28OS-D * Kanab: K33NT-D * Kanarraville, etc.: K36PA-D * Koosharem: K20MV-D * Laketown, etc.: K48GV-D * Leamington: K15LL-D * Logan: K28OS-D * Long Valley Junction: K12WZ-D * Manila, etc.: K33PQ-D * Manti, Ephraim: K29EM-D * Marysvale: K13AAI-D * Mayfield: K15CD-D * Mexican Hat: K18IB-D * Milford, etc.: K15FQ-D * Montezuma Creek, Aneth: K23JC-D * Morgan, etc.: K28JL-D * Mount Pleasant: K23NR-D * Myton: K22NE-D * Navajo Mountain: K18HZ-D * Nephi: K22OO-D * Oljeto: K18IA-D * Orangeville: K21NP-D * Orderville: K16BT-D, K27KH-D (Alton) * Panguitch, etc.: K20MX-D * Park City: K35OP-D * Peoa, etc.: K36PK-D * Randolph, Woodruff: K30JG-D * Richfield, etc.: K20MS-D * Roosevelt: K13AAN-D * Rural Garfield County: K28GM-D * Rural Juab, etc.: K13OG-D * Rural Juab County: K14PA-D * Rural Sevier County: K20MW-D * Salina, Redmond: K13AAH-D * Samak: K28JS-D * Santa Clara, etc.: K26QF-D * Scofield: K29MT-D * Scipio: K15LK-D * St. George: KKRP-LD 21, K25PA-D * Summit County: K25OY-D * Tropic, Cannonville: K29GJ-D * Vernal, etc.: K35IQ-D * Wanship: K29HX-D * Wendover: K16MN-D * Woodland, Kamas: K13AAJ-D * Cortez, CO: K23LH-D * Holbrook, ID: K33QF-D * Malad City, ID: K16MW-D * Mink Creek, ID: K07XM-D * Montpelier, ID: K34OH-D * Preston, ID: K19EW-D * Soda Springs, ID: K25OI-D * Big Piney, etc., WY: K24DA-D {{div col end}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://fox13now.com/}} *[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=ut&vol=supopin&invol=kilpat~1 Details leading up to MWT Ltd being assigned the construction permit]
{{SLC TV}} {{Idaho TV}} {{Nevada TV}} {{Wyoming TV}} {{Scripps Sports}} {{EWS CORP}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kstu}} Category:1978 establishments in Utah Category:Bounce TV affiliates Category:Court TV affiliates Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations Category:Former News Corporation subsidiaries Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates Category:Ion Television affiliates Category:Mass media in Salt Lake City Category:Television channels and stations established in 1978 STU